PROFESSIONAL, TECHNICAL TRAINING
Staff
JAM Dance Academy has recruited some of the area's most accomplished dance instructors, each of whom brings their own personal approach to the dance floor. See below who they are:
Jennifer Muselin
Founder and Artistic Director
Former Ohio Dance Theatre Principle and Soloist, Jennifer Muselin, studied under the direction of Denise Gula for 15 years, thus perfecting her techniques in ballet, contemporary and jazz. Her love of dance was solidified, when as a child, she performed in BalletMet’s The Nutcracker ballet as a mouse. In her teens, Jennifer trained with and danced works choreographed by former Cleveland Ballet affiliates, Cynthia Graham, Anne Owen and Joseph Glowick, with whom she credits her love for partnering and petit allegro. Ms. Muselin attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts where she danced under the direction of James Martin and Cherylyn Lavagnino, where she was granted a scholarship for her Sophomore year. At only 19 years old, Jennifer was awarded an apprenticeship at Chicago's famed Hubbard Street Dance Company and selected to instruct summer intensives with the National Cheerleading Association. Ms. Muselin became a founding member of Phenix Dance Theatre, which then became Ohio Dance Theatre in the early 90’s. While with ODT, Ms. Muselin's credits include Clara and Sugarplum, Dew Drop, Chinese and Arabian in The Nutcracker, as well as various principal roles that were choreographed for her exclusively. Jennifer has had the pleasure of being partnered by members of the former Ohio Ballet such as Blas Cerda and Luc Vanier and Joffrey Ballet’s Sam Meredith, as well as performed works choreographed by Mr. Vanier and Amy Miller, co-founders of GroundWorks Dance Theatre. Jennifer has also had the pleasure of dancing various roles choreographed for her in the Ohio Light Opera. Ms. Muselin is trained in the Pilates technique, which is instrumental in her teachings of both children and adults. She has choreographed shows to include Flower Drum Song, The King and I, Beauty and the Beast, Hairspray, Cinderella and instructed summer youth programs at Oberlin College for at risk youths. After she retired as a professional dancer, Jennifer became an event coordinator for the Rock and Rolle Hall of Fame, planning such events as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, “Riot Girls and Rebels”, a celebration event for Joan Jett, and Food Network’s Dinner Impossible, to name few. She then went on to Director of Event and Catering for various Cleveland organizations. In 2013 Jennifer began a new chapter in her life and opened JAM Dance Academy in her home-town of North Ridgeville, a dance school focusing on the disciplined fundamentals of ballet technique. While with JAM, Ms. Muselin produced community-wide fundraisers as “Biking for Ballerinas” and produced productions of The Nutcracker ballet, choreographing on some of Cleveland’s most talented dancers. In 2019, Jennifer embarked on her new venture as Executive and Artistic Director of her newly formed professional contemporary ballet company, Ballet Legato and also collaborates with the DEA and YMCA, providing after-school dance programs to children while instilling a drug-free life-style through her company. Ms. Muselin is also certified as a level 1 instructor of Progressing Ballet Technique, which she implements into her teaching focusing on core strength to trigger muscle memory. Ms. Muselin also choreographs for the Spark Children's Theatre at LCCC teaching dance to children, ages 10-18. She currently resides in North Ridgeville with her husband, Ryan and their four children.
Cody Edwards
Cody Edwards has been in the Cleveland dance scene since 2016 where he first began teaching at JAM Dance Academy. Mr. Edwards has also partnered with Ballet Legato and the DEA Educational Foundation during Covid teaching hip hop to youth through the Boys and Girls Club of Lorain County. After joining Cleveland Cavalier entertainment in 2018 dancing with The Scream Team, he had the chance to perform with Salt n Peppa, Coolio, Flo Rida, Blanco Brown, Lil Wayne, Mary J Blidge, Ludacris, Migos, Gunna and the famous DJ Khaled. Also during NBA all star weekend with Cavs in 2022, Cody had the honor of dancing for famous choreographer Greg Chapkis and his LA dancers being the entertainment for the Portland Trailblazers, Boston Celtics, and the Indiana Pacers. In the off season you could find Cody at the Cleveland Guardians home games performing for the Block Party under City Breaks led by Zulu king Dasisun and Lee Santana ( Bboy BZ Brooks). Needless to say, he’s ready to come home to JAM Dance Academy and bring back all he’s learned to the new group of dancers!
Julie Garswood
Julie Garswood brings over 20 years of dance, teaching, and competition experience in jazz, tap, hip hop, and contemporary to JAM. She has won numerous awards for her performances including a special stage presence award during her competition years. Miss Julie has a strong background not only in dance, but cheer and theater as well. Miss Julie coached a competition hip hop crew, and several tap soloists, helping them win many top awards at local competitions She graduated Cum Laude from The Ohio State University with a B. A. in History, while also obtaining minors in Dance, Spanish, and Economics. Julie moved home to her native Cleveland in 2011 to attend law school at Cleveland Marshall where she graduated Cum Laude in 2014. Upon returning to the Cleveland area, she began teaching tap at JAM North Ridgeville during their first full season. She is grateful to be able to share her love of dance with the students at JAM Dance Academy.
Hannie Mills
Hannie Mills began her ballet training at the age of three at the Cassandra School of Ballet in Toledo, Ohio. While in high school, Hannie trained in Ballet, Pointe, and Jazz. She performed various pieces with the Cassandra School of Ballet, including Kitri’s Grand Pas variation from Don Quixote and the Dew Drop Fairy from the Nutcracker Suite. After graduating, Hannie went on to Eastern University to study dance. While pursuing her degree, Hannie continued her Ballet and Jazz training in addition to Modern and Contemporary. Hannie was a member of Opus 1 Contemporary Dance Company for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons and an apprentice dancer with 180 Dance Company for the 2012-2013 season. During her senior year, Hannie taught Ballet for ages ranging from four to eighteen at Kristina Pulcini Ballet Academy. She had the opportunity to be a guest dancer in the 2012 Nutcracker Suite for Kristina Pulcini Ballet Academy, performing in Snow, Marzipan, Chinese, and Flowers. After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Dance in 2013, Hannie moved to Lynchburg, VA to attend graduate school and received her Master of Arts in Management and Leadership in 2014. During this time, she pursued her love of dancing by attending classes at Central Virginia Ballet as well as teaching ballet for ages four to ten. Hannie and her husband moved to the Cleveland area in January of 2016. She was put in contact with JAM Dance Academy and was honored to be able to participate in their first Nutcracker in December of 2016. Hannie is excited to continue to share her love of dance with the amazing dancers at JAM!
Isabella Muselin
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